Kauai Hawaii Faces Severe Damage As Hurricane Lowell Weakens

Barber Shop located in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash )

Barber Shop located in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash)

Summary
  • Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 1 with 80 mph winds near Lihue
  • Hurricane Warning for Kauai County cancelled, Tropical Storm Warning for Oahu cancelled
  • Widespread power outages reported on Kauai and significant outages on Oahu
  • Residents told to limit travel and treat downed power lines as live

Hurricane Lowell has weakened to a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour and was located about 190 miles north northwest of Lihue, the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency reported. Conditions are improving across the state, including Niihau, Kauai and Oahu.

The agency said the Hurricane Warning for Kauai County has been cancelled and the Tropical Storm Warning for Oahu has been cancelled. Those changes reflect the storm's reduced intensity and its movement away from main islands, the agency added.

Emergency officials warned that despite improving conditions, severe damage has been sustained in Kauai County and on Oahu. The Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency reported widespread power outages on Kauai and significant outages on Oahu, and it urged residents to remain cautious while recovery work continues.

Impact And Safety Guidance

Authorities asked people who are safe to limit travel to allow emergency crews to conduct repairs. The emergency agency said downed power lines should be treated as live and people should stay clear of damaged areas where hazards remain.

Before reentering damaged properties, the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency advised checking for damaged power and gas lines, foundation cracks and other exterior damage. The agency warned some structures may be too dangerous to enter and urged residents to follow directions from local officials.

Officials are prioritizing restoration of essential services and clearing hazards, but they emphasized that travel restrictions and caution will help crews work more quickly and safely. The agency said it will provide additional updates and recommended actions as conditions evolve.